Living on Charity

I briefly watched Cheryl Fox on CNA last night interviewing a Mdm Heng(not her real name). Mdm Heng is around 60, sickly and lonely. Her three children and husband had passed away. She depends on a monthly withdrawal of $290 from her CPF to get by. Not enough definitely. And she needs handouts from some kind souls to pay for her medicine and a bit more. Her social life is as good as zero. Living on charity is a life of shame and despair. She wouldn't dare to strut herself around to share her woes with everyone. But that could change if she can appear on one of the charity show as a star recipient. She would become an instant celebrity. Everyone will know her instantly. But Mdm Heng need not have to depend on charity. She has another $20k in her Medisave. Unfortunately or fortunately, this sum cannot be touched unless she is admitted to a hospital where she would have to pay a ransom. And the $20k is just for that, if, IF, she ever get herself admitted. But If she does not have this good fortune, she would probably never have the chance to touch her $20k, her fortune. Our well designed system has protected our people from the expensive medicare system by making sure that everyone has the money to pay. But no one ask the fortunate recipients of this kind and caring system whether they are beneficiaries or victims of the system. Why can't the system allow Mdm Heng to draw out her little fortune to live her life with a little self respect, a little dignity, but have to depend on charity, kindness and mercy of others when she has her own money stuck in the Medisave? At least she could live 5 or 10 years as a respectable person, independent and not having to wait for handouts? She is at best a wretch. When her money is spent, and if she is so unfortunate or fortunate to be still alive, then the charity can come in. She may not need any charity if her life is not that long. Is our system kind or cruel? I think we are so kind that we don't even know the difference between good and mean.

No need to bother the govt with our old age.

Singaporeans should tell the govt, thank you, please do not feel responsible for our old age. We will take care of ourselves, with our own money in the CPF now. Just return the money to us. Where can I find a T shirt that reads, 'Thank you' in front and 'Don't bother' behind?

Life at 85

The first thing I will do is to go for a complete overhaul. Change whatever parts that need to be changed. Get hair implants, crown a whole new set of teeth if the jaw bones can hold, go for lazik treatment, botok the whole face, pull all the skins or replace with nuskin, and start a swinging 85! Now, won't that be wonderful? A second life, without worries and the longetivity insurance will pay me ever after.

Rank Country/territory Life expectancy at birth (years) Overall Male Female World average 67.2 65.0 69.5 1 Japan 82.6 79.0 86.1 2 Hong Kong (PRC) 82.2 79.4 85.1 3 Iceland 81.8 80.2 83.3 4 Switzerland 81.7 79.0 84.2 5 Australia 81.2 78.9 83.6 6 Spain 80.9 77.7 84.2 7 Sweden 80.9 78.7 83.0 8 Israel 80.7 78.5 82.8 9 Macau (PRC) 80.7 78.5 82.8 10 France (metropolitan) 80.7 77.1 84.1 11 Canada 80.7 78.3 82.9 12 Italy 80.5 77.5 83.5 13 New Zealand 80.2 78.2 82.2 14 Norway 80.2 77.8 82.5 15 Singapore 80.0 78.0 81.9 16 Austria 79.8 76.9 82.6 17 Netherlands 79.8 77.5 81.9 18 Martinique 79.5 76.5 82.3 19 Greece 79.5 77.1 81.9 20 Belgium 79.4 76.5 82.3 The above figures show that life expectancy is at best about 85. But we must be proactive and prepare to live till 95 or 100. So we must prepare our people now, and keep their money before they squander them away. And with our world class health and medical care system, Singaporeans will outlive all the the people in the world soon. 50% of those who are 62 now will live to 85. That is a Singaporean fact. They are more or less guaranteed to benefit from the annuity scheme.

Stop the kidding

Anyone with a fully paid 3 rm HDB flat and prepared to rent out one room will have more than $300 income to get by. And this is inflation hedged as the rental will only go up with time. Not taking into account any other forms of income or savings. He DOES NOT need the $300 from any annuity scheme. All he needs is don't try to eat sharks fin, go to concert, drive a mercedes, admit himself into A class wards. Just live simply. He will have more than enough. What can a 85 year old do? Run around and feeding himself with viagra?